The Benue South Progressive Forum has expressed gratitude to President Muhammad Buhari for nominating Chief Audu Ogbeh as a minister in the impending cabinet. A statement signed by Honourable Edache Reuben Ojoje, its National President, explained that the action carried a symbolic import that necessitated their public expression of gratitude to the president. The choice, nomination and confirmation of Chief Ogbe, the statement said, has not only raised the bar of unity in Benue State but also underscored the dreams of the founding fathers of the state. While saying that it does not hold brief for Chief Ogbeh, the forum, however, gave assurance that the nation is guaranteed Chief Ogbeh’s maximum commitment to the key elements of the ‘Change Agenda’ driving the Buhari regime.

It commended political leaders of Benue State such as Senator George Akume, Senator Bernabas Gemade and Dr. Samuel Ortom, the Benue State Governor for their support for Chief Ogbeh’s nomination, describing Chief Ogbeh himself as one of our icon.

Chief Audu Ogbeh, who hails from Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Council of Benue State, came to national limelight in the 1980s when he emerged as Minister of Communications under the Shagari regime in the Second Republic. Before then, he was the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly. A big time farmer and orator, Chief Ogbeh has since been screened by the Senate.

Benue State was created by the Murtala Mohammed regime in February 1976 with the Tivs, Igala and Idoma as the dominant ethnic groups. But in the state creation exercise of 1991, the Igalas were moved to Kogi State, leaving the Tivs and Idoma ethnic groups.

•Photo shows Audu Ogbeh.

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